West Northamptonshire

West Northamptonshire's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census show there were changes in housing tenure and work life.

The population reached nearly 380,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of West Northamptonshire increased by 8.5%, from just under 346,000 to 375,000.

The addition of just under 30,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, West Northamptonshire was home to, on average, 2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the East Midlands

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the East Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in private renting

Census 2011 data also show a housing tenure change in West Northamptonshire.

The percentage of households in West Northamptonshire that rented privately increased from 7.3% in 2001 to 15% in 2011.

In 2011, just over one in seven (15%) households lived in social housing, compared with 16% in 2001. The percentage of West Northamptonshire households that owner their home decreased from 74% to 68%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in West Northamptonshire increased by 7.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in West Northamptonshire, the East Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in West Northamptonshire

The number of people in West Northamptonshire from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 5,100 in 2001 to about 12,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 1.5% to 3.1% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the East Midlands (from 0.9% to 1.7%) and the average across England (from 2.4% to 3.6%).

The number of people in West Northamptonshire from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 330,000 in 2001 to just under 340,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 94% to 90%. The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 8,700 to just over 16,000 (from 2.5% to 4.3%).

About 8,800 people (1.3%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from about 4,400 in 2001 (2.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups in West Northamptonshire increased by 1.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and West Northamptonshire by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in West Northamptonshire working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 15% to 11% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.8%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.8% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 14% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in West Northamptonshire decreased by 3.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in West Northamptonshire, the East Midlands and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of West Northamptonshire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.0% to 4.3% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (84%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 72% in 2001. The percentage of West Northamptonshire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 12%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 9.4% in 2001 to 5.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in West Northamptonshire decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in West Northamptonshire, the East Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of West Northamptonshire residents that were unemployed increased from 2.6% to 3.8% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (57%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 59% in 2001. The percentage of West Northamptonshire residents that were self-employed increased from 8.6% to 10%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 3.4% in 2001 to 4.2% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in West Northamptonshire increased by 1.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in West Northamptonshire, the East Midlands and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

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